Thailand lose Manuel to injury

Thailand lose Manuel to injury

Champions reduced to 22 men for Suzuki Cup

Manuel Tom Bihr has been forced to quit the Thai national team after sustaining a thigh injury. PR
Manuel Tom Bihr has been forced to quit the Thai national team after sustaining a thigh injury. PR

True Bangkok United defender Manuel Tom Bihr has been forced to pull out of the Thai national team who are scheduled to take on Indonesia in the AFF Suzuki Cup at the Rajamangala National Stadium tomorrow.

The War Elephants' roster has been reduced to 22 players for the tournament following the withdrawal of the Thai-German defender.

Manuel was in the starting line-up of the Thai team that trounced regional minnows Timor Leste 7-0 in their opening Group B game of the Southeast Asian championship at the same venue last week.

However, the 25-year-old decided to leave the defending champions' training camp after discussions with the coaching staff and his doctor.

The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) said in a statement yesterday that Manuel has been released to undergo treatment at his club.

"During training for past many days, Manuel Tom Bihr had been troubled by an injury to his thigh," the FAT statement said.

"The national team coaching staff discussed the issue at length with the Bangkok United doctor and decided to let Manuel go back and get treatment from the Bangkok United team doctor.

"The decision was made keeping in view the fact that the AFF Suzuki Cup is a tournament which involves many matches in a short time, putting the players at the risk of picking up serious injuries.

"It seems that Manuel has suffered the same injury in the past as well. The Bangkok United doctor has his medical history so it seemed wise to let him treat the player."

The AFF Suzuki Cup tournament rules do not allow any team to call up a replacement or implement any changes to the squad after they have played one match in the event.

Meanwhile, striker Adisak Kraisorn, who netted six goals in Thailand's first Group B game last week, has expressed fears that he might pick up a career-threatening injury again.

Adisak, the top-scorer in the tournament so far, is staging a comeback after a lapse of eight months caused by a cruciate ligament injury.

"I have yet to bring out my best," said Adisak, "because I am still worried about my injury.

"The first [Suzuki Cup] game was against a weak team but I am not sure how things would go against tougher sides. I am trying to push these injury worries out of my mind.

"I have learned my lesson on how to avoid the hard tackles. I just don't want to go back and face another serious injury."

Thailand lead Group B with three points from one game. Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore also have three points each, while Timor are still chasing their first point.

Indonesia have played two matches, losing 1-0 at Singapore and securing a 3-1 home win against Timor Leste.

Malaysia lead Group A with six points from two matches. Myanmar and Vietnam each have three points, while Laos and Cambodia are both winless after two defeats.

The top two teams of each group will reach the semi-finals.

Adisak Kraisorn during the match against Timor Leste. ap Sakchai Lalit

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